Inter‑Ministerial committee warns disinformation fuels attacks, defends South Africa’s record on migrants

The committee met in Pretoria to update the media on progress in rolling out President Cyril Ramaphosa’s newly announced migration strategy. It said significant strides have been made in implementing the interventions outlined by the president in his national address.

Disinformation described as a driver of instability

The committee issued a sharp warning about what it called a “false narrative” portraying South Africa as inherently xenophobic or hostile to foreign nationals. It said:

“Government recognises that misinformation and disinformation are among the greatest drivers of instability in our communities, and we are confronting it head‑on. We strongly caution the public about the spread of fake videos and images across various digital platforms, including social media.”

The committee said old, staged or heavily manipulated visuals are often part of targeted disinformation campaigns designed to incite violence, cause panic, fuel attacks on foreign nationals and unfairly blame them for socio‑economic challenges such as unemployment and crime.

Concerns for the country’s reputation and legal approach

Beyond domestic division, the committee said these campaigns are intended to damage South Africa’s international reputation. It stated that South Africa has historically welcomed people from diverse countries and remains committed to the African Union Agenda 2063.

The committee emphasised that the country is a constitutional democracy that complies with international migration frameworks and is a signatory to multiple global conventions promoting human dignity, equality and the rule of law.

Calls for compliance and rejection of vigilantism

Addressing the complexity of migration, the committee said the government’s path forward is anchored in the constitution and the rule of law. It called on undocumented and illegal immigrants to comply with South African laws and said authorities are working with several countries that are voluntarily repatriating their citizens.

The committee added that the South African government will not tolerate the circumvention of immigration systems and laws and urged employers to refrain from transgressing immigration and labour laws.

It also urged South Africans to reject vigilantism, dismiss the noise of misinformation and partner with government to restore stability to neighbourhoods.